Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson congratulate one another after a drill on June 12 in Allen Park. / Julian H. Gonzalez/DFP

By Anthony Kuehn

Detroit Free Press Special Writer

Anthony Kuehn is the editor of the Detroit Lions blog Lions Gab . His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Get in touch with Anthony at lionsgab@gmail.com or on Twitter @lionsgab.

The 2012 Detroit Lions receiving corps was a Greek tragedy by the end of the season. Whether it was injuries (Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles and Patrick Edwards), discipline (Titus Young), inconsistency (Brandon Pettigrew) or unfamiliarity (midseason pickups Mike Thomas, Brian Robiske and Kris Durham), there were constantly obstacles facing the Lions. Somehow, amongst the chaos, Calvin Johnson solidified himself as the best receiver in the game by breaking Jerry Riceís all time receiving yardage mark and giving 2,000 yards a run for its money.

The 2013 receiving corps basically returns the same cast of characters, but with a different level of expectation. The group has a lot of question marks, but there is considerable upside for the group as well.

Any conversation involving the Lionsí receivers has to start with Johnson. Obviously, Johnson is the focal point of the passing game and one of the rare talents in the NFL. The Lions would really like to lessen the reliance on Megatron, so expect fewer catches and yards but an increase in touchdowns.

Burleson will reprise his role as the Lionsí No. 2 and the Lions would like to have the ability to kick him into the slot in three receiver sets. Burleson isnít the burner he used to be, but he has a knack for getting open and picking up yardage after the catch. Burleson is entering his 11th season and coming off a broken leg, so itís only natural to question how effective he will be. However, he has great chemistry with Matthew Stafford and his presence in the locker room cannot be understated.

Broyles is the most likely candidate to fill the third receiver role if he is completely recovered from the torn ACL that ended his rookie campaign. Broyles is built like a slot receiver and can excel in that role, but he had an elite ability to create separation and could be a threat on the outside as well. Broyles doesnít have elite speed or size, but he is such a sudden athlete and runs crisp routes that he is difficult to cover.

The Lions typically carry five receivers on the roster, which leaves Thomas, Durham, Patrick Edwards, Corey Fuller and Michael Spurlock as the main candidates for the remaining two spots. The Lions usually have at least one receiver on the practice squad and Durham, Edwards and Fuller are the only eligible players on the roster right now to fill that role.

Thomas was paid a $1 million roster bonus just before free agency and the Lions invested a draft pick when they traded for him, which gives him a leg up on the competition. Thomas gives the Lions another solid option in the slot as well as some speed on the outside. He never got comfortable after arriving midseason, so itís very hard to gauge his performance in 2012 and predict what he will be capable of in 2013. Thomas also can run the ball out of the backfield or on end arounds or reverses and he has experience as a kick returner.

Durham was Staffordís roommate at Georgia and spent a portion of the season on the practice squad before signing to the active roster. Durham has the size teams covet in an outside receiver and he and Stafford have chemistry from their time at Georgia. Still, he may have a hard time making the roster this season.

Edwards and Fuller are different body types, but similar players. Edwards has a small frame while Fuller has the length of a prototypical receiver. Both players are fast and explosive while Edwards is a more seasoned route runner and is more natural catching the ball. Fuller was a draft pick, so the Lions will be hesitant to risk losing him if they try to stash him on the practice squad. Edwards is one of the more promising young players on the team and I doubt heíd clear waivers, either.

Spurlock is a career special teamer with very limited experience as a receiver. He has been a very electric return man and has excelled in coverage units. His only road to a roster spot is if he can win the return job convincingly.

The tight ends were very disappointing in 2012 and need a big bounce back season as well. Brandon Pettigrew couldnít hold on to the football and still had issues with penalties. Tony Scheffler wasnít nearly as productive as he was in 2011, either. With both starting tight ends having a down year, it really limited the offense as Stafford likes to use the tight ends to establish rhythm in the short passing game.

Pettigrew and Scheffler are locks to make the roster again and both players have a lot to offer. Pettigrew is a rare all around tight end and his size in the middle of the field makes him a great target on intermediate passes and in the red zone.

Scheffler is a glorified receiver and doesnít offer much in the blocking department, but his speed and size make him a matchup nightmare for defenses.

Michael Williams and Joseph Fauria will be competing for the third tight end spot and Iím pretty sure the Lions will only carry three. Williams is very similar to Pettigrew except less refined as a receiver. He was used sparingly in the passing game in college, but was a devastating blocker. Iíve mentioned many times how much he reminds me of the man he could replace, Will Heller.

Fauria is more in the mold of Scheffler except he lacks the top end speed, but is a better blocker. He has an uphill battle to make the roster as the Lions really prefer to have at least two solid blocking tight ends.

The receivers and tight ends are both reporting to new position coaches this season. Tim Lappano was the tight ends coach last season, but he moved over to replace the departed Shawn Jefferson. Bobby Johnson joins the coaching staff from Jacksonville, where he had success coaching Mercedes Lewis.

A lot went wrong in 2012 in the receiving corps and odds are 2013 cannot be as bad. However, outside of Johnson there is not a sure thing in the receiver group and the tight ends arenít the type of dynamic players to carry the passing game. Success throwing the ball isnít all on the receivers though. An improved offensive line, a more balanced running game and better play-calling will also go a long way towards helping the 2013 receiving group put a disappointing last year behind them.